Whistler police arrest suspected drug trafficker with help of local bar manager

Whistler police have a local bar manager to thank for leading them to a suspected drug trafficker in the village last week.

At approximately 10:15 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 13, officers on patrol in the village were approached by the manager of a nearby pub who had just confiscated three baggies of suspected cocaine from a man who "appeared to be distributing it amongst a small group of people at the pub," according to Whistler RCMP Staff Sgt. Paul Hayes.

The manager pointed out the suspect, a 21-year-old from Australia, who was subsequently arrested for trafficking a controlled substance. He was released with a promise to appear in North Vancouver court.

Earlier that week, at roughly 1:45 a.m. on Jan. 12, police also nabbed another suspect on drug charges after he was found in possession of a baggie of suspected cocaine.

Police said they approached two males after they were seen "acting suspiciously" near a village nightclub. An officer then found the baggie on one of the suspects. They were both arrested and taken to the detachment.

The suspect in possession of the suspected cocaine, a 19-year-old from Bermuda, was released with a promise to appear in court next month. The other male was released without charge.

"Whistler RCMP supports a zero-tolerance approach for illicit drug use in our community," said Hayes, urging anyone with information on the above incidents or anyone dealing in illicit drugs to contact the detachment or Sea to Sky Crime Stoppers.

Man in stolen van flees police

A 33-year-old Mount Currie man was arrested last week after fleeing police in a stolen van, according to the RCMP.

Just before noon on Saturday, Jan. 13, Pemberton RCMP received a report of a van that was stolen in Mount Currie. An officer in the area tailed the stolen vehicle down Xit'olacw Road. Police said the driver of the stolen vehicle failed to heed the police siren and blew through a stop sign, speeding eastbound on Lillooet Lake Road.

Soon after, a witness told police they had spotted a vehicle with a smashed windshield that matched the van's description heading down the In-SHUCK-ch Forest Service Road. The officer then observed the vehicle driving back towards Highway 99, where the Mountie turned the cruiser's emergency lights on to signal the van to stop.

Police said the driver exited the vehicle and indicated he would turn himself in. The man, who exhibited signs of impairment, was arrested for fleeing police, theft, and impaired driving. He was held in custody for a justice of the peace hearing.

The RCMP continues to investigate the incident and asks anyone with relevant information to contact the Pemberton detachment at 604-894-6634 or Sea to Sky Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

Ontario man 'squares off' with police following fight at village nightclub

A 20-year-old Ontario man got more than he bargained for last week when he reportedly tried to fight a police officer following an altercation near a village nightclub.

Just before 2 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 14, officers on foot patrol in the village were alerted to a fight in progress behind the establishment. When police arrived, they found the suspect being held against a wall by another man. A witness informed the officers that the male being restrained was trying to fight the male holding him back.

Police then advised the suspect that he was under arrest for assault and causing a disturbance, at which point he allegedly "clenched his fists and squared off with one of the officers in an apparent attempt to fight with police," explained Hayes. Although he actively resisted arrest, officers were able to subdue the young man.

He was taken to the detachment and subsequently released with a date in North Vancouver court set for March 7.

Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact the Whistler RCMP or Sea to Sky Crime Stoppers.